Applicator for the placement of elastic bands on orthodontic appliances



Nov, 4 199 H. B. ABRAMS 3,475,818

APPLICATOR FOR THE PLACEMENT OF ELASTIC BANDS ON ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES Filed Nov. 24, 1967 HAROLD a. ABRAMs United States Patent 3,475,818 APPLICATOR FOR THE PLACEMENT 0F ELASTIC BANDS 0N ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES Harold B. Abrams, 1210 Arrowhead, Olivette, Mo. 63132 Filed Nov. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 685,555 Int. Cl. A61c 7/00 U.S. CI. 32-66 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The applicator includes a handle having a narrowed forward end. A first pair of transversely disposed, parallel lugs projects outwardly from one side of the handle, and extends beyond the forward end. A second pair of transversely dispose'd'parallel lugs, located rearwardly of the first pair of lugs, likewise project outwardly from the same side of the handle as the first pair, but to a greater extent. Each lug includes a hook at its extremity, and the two pairs of lugs cooperate to provide four support points holding the elastic in an open position away from the handle.

Background of the invention This invention relates generally to a dental tool, and more particularly to an applicator for placing elastics on orthodontic appliances.

Orthodontic elastics are of great value in the correction of deficiencies in the alignment of teeth, and in particular are used extensively in rectifying the conditions of underbite and overbite. These conditions require the placement of strong elastic bands diagonally between upper and lower teeth in order that the bands may exert a tension which gradually corrects the deficiency over an extended period of time. The elastics are connected at each end to a hook projecting from a band placed on specifically chosen teeth.

The elastics are not in continuous use but in general, are replaced at prescribed intervals. This replacement is most difficult to accomplish simply with the use of the fingers of the patient and in consequence, the patients frequently become neglectful in the matter of replacing the elastics, thereby reducing the effectiveness of and prolonging the time for treatment.

The present applicator provides a fast, hygienic, and easy method of replacing elastics, and encourages the patient to follow the prescribed treatment conscientiously.

Obviously, in an art as advanced as that of orthodontics, many specialized tools and appliances exist. An inspection of the art in general, however, reveals that these tools are, almost without exception, for the use of the dentist in performing the various orthodontic operations, usually of a semi-permanent variety, rather than the patient. Implements exist, for example, which are adapted to facilitate the manipulation of anchor bands. One such tool includes a shank having a laterally extending arm at one end which terminates in a claw, providing a V-shaped structure at the end of the shank. This tool is quite unlike the present applicator, and could not be used for the same purpose.

Another type of tool is the ligature tension pliers which is used for attaching ligature wires to labial arch wires. The pincers action of such tools renders them completely different from the present applicator.

Very few tools exist for use by the patient himself. A

known applicator, which is used for the placement of elastics by the patient, is a stainless steel spring wire which operates in quite a different manner, and has a different structure than the present orthodontic tool. The present tool without spring action may be used safely and easily by even a child. In addition, the present applicator may be made of high density polyethylene and, having no movable or springing parts, it may be carried quite easily on the person for use at any time.

Summary of the invention The applicator includes an elongate handle having a forward end with transversely spaced shoulder means adapted to engage an elastic band. A second shoulder means is ,disposed rearwardly of the transversely spaced shoulder means, and is adapted to engage the other end of the elastic band. The rearwardly disposed shoulder means cooperates with the forward shoulder means to hold the band in an open loop position.

A pair of lugs disposed in fixed relation to and projecting outwardly from one side of the handle constitute the forward spaced shoulder means. The lugs project beyond the forward end of the handle.

A second pair of laterally spaced lugs project outwardly from the same side of the handle and constitute the rearwardly disposed shoulder means.

The forward and rearward lugs include hooks spaced laterally from the handle, the hooks being adapted to operatively engage the elastic band. Both pairs of lugs project substantially in the same direction from the handle, and the hooks on the forward pair of lugs and the hooks on the rearward pair of lugs face in opposite directions.

The forward and rearward lugs are selectively spaced apart longitudinally of the handle to tension the elastic band. The rearward hooks above the handle are a greater distance than the forward hooks to facilitate disengagement of the applicator from the elastic band after connection to the anchor bands.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the applicator;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, side elevational view thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view thereof; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the use of the applicator in placing the elastic on the lower end and upper teeth respectively.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, and first to FIG. 1, it will be understood that the applicator 10 includes a handle 11, having a relatively narrow forward end 12.

A pair of substantially opposed lugs 13, attached to the forward end 12, projects outwardly from the side 14 of the forward end 12 and projects outwardly beyond the front face 15 of the forward end 12, as is clearly shown in FIG. 2.

Each lug 13 includes a front shoulder 16, constituting a shoulder means. Each front shoulder 16 includes a groove 17 at its outer end which provides a hook adapted to engage an elastic band 20.

A second pair of substantially opposed lugs 21, also attached to the forward end 12, projects outwardly from the side 14 of the forward end 12, the second pair of 3 lug constituting a second shoulder means rearwardly disposed of the lugs 13. The lugs 21 extend outwardly from the side 14 and include rear shoulders 22. Each rear shoulder 22 includes a groove 23 located at its outer end and providing a hook adapted to operatively engage the other end of the elastic band 20.

It will be clear from FIG. 2, that the lugs 13 and 21 serve to hold the elastic band 20 in an open loop position. It will be likewise clear from FIG. 2, that the pro vision of grooves 17 at the extremities of the lugs 13 and 21 assists in retaining the elastic band 20 securely in position. Preferably, the lugs 13 and 21 are selectively spaced apart longitudinally of the handle to induce a slight tension into the elastic band 20. In order to facilitate the disengagement of the tool from the elastic band the rearward hooks are located a greater distance from the handle than the forward hooks.

In order to avoid unnecessary sharp edges, the lugs 13 and 21 are rounded at their corners. Likewise, the lower edge of the front face 15 of the forward end 12 is also rounded. Opposite sides of the handle are serrated for the convenience of an operator on gripping and manipulating the tool.

It is thought that the functional advantages of the applicator 10 have become fully apparent from the foregoing detailed description of parts, but for completeness of disclosure, a typical usage will be briefly described.

FIGS. 2 and 3 clearly illustrate the disposition of the elastic band 20 with respect to the forward lugs 13 and the rear lugs 21. It will be observed that the elastic band 20 is preferably in an inclined position relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle, and that the projection of the forward lugs 13 beyond the end of the handle creates an intervening pocket 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be assumed that it is desired to place the elastic band 20 in a prescribed location between a lower tooth 30 and an upper tooth 31, each of these teeth being provided with an anchor hook 32 or 33 respectively projecting from a band or like structure attached to these individual teeth. It will be understood that FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate different positions of the same applicator, and that the lugs 13 and 21 are pointing away from the observer, and toward the teeth.

In FIG. 4, the applicator is shown with the band 20 stretched around the forward end rearward lugs 13 and 21 respectively. Because the elastic band 20 extends between both of the forward lugs, an intervening pocket 24 is created. The hook 32 is inserted and received in this pocket 24.

By pulling the applicator to the right, as seen in FIG. 4, the hook 32 engages the front portion 25 of the elastic band 20. Pivotal movement of the handle about the rear lugs 21 disengages the lastic band 20 from the forward lugs 13 while the'rear portion 26 of the band 20 remains engaged on the lugs 21. Further movement upwardly and to the right locates the rear lugs 21 adjacent the hook 33 on the upper tooth 31, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 5. A slight manipulation of the applicator 10 enables the hook 33 to be brought into operative engagement with the rear portion 26 of the elastic band 20. When this occurs the rear lugs 21 of the applicator 10 may be disengaged by a simple and slight movement away from the tooth 31, and the applicator is withdrawn from the month.

When these operations are completed, the elastic band 20 wil be securely in place between the hook 33 on the upper tooth 31 and the hook 32 on the lower tooth 30.

Because the applicator is in fact quite small, the disposition of the forward lugs 13 beyond the forward end 12 of the handle 11 allows the applicator to be used with hooks such as hook 32 which are in fact relatively long. This use is achieved by creating, as it were, a pocket 24 into which the hook 32 may project without interference from the forward end 12 of the handle 11. In addition, the greater outward projection of lugs 21 relative to lugs 13 permits the manipulation of the applicator 10, as shown in FIG. 5, without fear of interference between the forward lugs 13 and the elastic band 20, after disengagement of the forward lugs 13, thereby facilitating the use of the tool.

This increased outward projection of the rear lugs 21 also allows the use of the applicator 10 with ease even when the tooth hook, such as hook 33 is relatively long.

I claim as my invention: l I

1. An applicator for placing orthodontic elastic bands on tooth anchor hooks, comprising: 1

(a) an elongate handle includingja forward end,

(b) a first shoulder means including anpair of substantially forwardly facing, transversely spaced shoulders on the forward end of the handle,"

(c) a second shoulder means including a pair of substantially rearwardly facing transversely spaced shoulders, the second means being rearwardly disa posed from the first-shoulder means,-

(d) the first and second shoulderv means being longitudinally spaced to hold an elastic band in open loop relation, and r (e) each shoulder means operatively engaging the elastic band to hold a portion of said band in extended relation across the space between associated transverse shoulders to-permit a tooth anchor hook to be received between said shoulders and into engagement with said band portion.

2. An applicator as defined in claim 1, in which:

(f) the first shoulder means includes a pair of lugs substantially oppositely disposed transversely of the handle in fixed relation and projecting laterally outward from the handle, said lugs providing the forwardly facing shoulders,

(g) said lugs extend beyond the forward end of the handle to provide a pocket to facilitate hook engagement, and

(h) the second shoulder means includes a second pair of lugs operatively disposed in fixed relation and projecting outwardly from the "same side of the handle, said lugs providing the rearwardly facing shoulders.

3. An applicator for placing orthodontic elastic bands on tooth anchor hooks, comprising: i

(a) an elongate handle, i

(b) a first pair of substantially parallel lugs substantially oppositely disposed in fixed relation and projecting outwardly from one side of the handle, the lugs providing the shoulders, r

(c) a second pair of lugs, substantially oppositely disposed in fixed relation substantially parallel to" the first pair of lugs, and projecting outwardly from the same side of the handle,

(d) both pair of lugs projecting laterally outwardly from the handle in substantially perpendicular relation,

(e) the first and second pairs of lugs providing a pair of forwardly and a pair of rearwardly facing hooks respectively, said pairs being relatively spaced longitudinally of the handle and providing four points of support to hold an elastic band in open loop relation,

(f) the hooks engaging the elastic'band to' hold a portion of said band in extended relation across the' space between associated lugs to permit a tooth anchor to be received between said shoulders an into engagement with said band portion.

4. An applicator as defined in claim 3 in which:

(g) the first pair of lugs extends beyond the forward end of the handle to provide a pocket to facilitate'the engagement of the elastic band with the tooth anchor hook, and I (h) the hooks on the second pair of lugs are disposed 5 6 outwardly from the said side of the handle a greater References Cited distance than the hooks 0n the first pair of lugs to UNITED STATES PATENTS facilitate disengagement of the hooks on the first pair of lugs from the elastic band and to preclude interference of the first pair of lugs with the elastic 5 2,756,758

band am dlsengagement' ROBERT PESHOCK, Primary Examiner 1,480,101 1/1924 Ogden 132-92 7/1956 Segerblom 132--92 

